-Second baseman Jason Kipnis has been cleared to start swinging the bat. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right oblique muscle on May 2. Kipnis suffered the injury on April 29 against the Angels while hitting into a double play.

A release from the Indians said Kipnis should be able to do some "low level" baseball activities this weekend such as swinging a bat. The original diagnosis that said Kipnis would be out three to five weeks has not changed.

"The target on Kip's return was vague because it's not fair to Kip," said manager Terry Francona. "Those things heal when they heal. The point I made is once he's healed, I bet he comes back quick because he's Kip."

-Versatile Mike Aviles has done a nice job filling in for Kipnis at second base. He has six hits in the Tribe's last two games, including a game-winner on Wednesday night against the Twins.

-Earlier in the week, Francona said he would probably give center fielder Michael Bourn, coming back from a strained left hamstring, Saturday off. Not only would Bourn be placing on artificial turf, but he'd be facing lefty Erik Bedard.

"It's a plan, but it's not written in ink," said Francona.

-Francona was happy that Elliot Johnson accepted his outright assignment to Class AAA Columbus after clearing waivers Friday. The Indians designated Johnson for assignment on May 3.

"I love Elliot," said Francona. "That's one of the really hard things about this job. Elliot comes to camp, you spend six weeks with him, get to know him, he does everything well and he makes the team.

"But you know very well that things don't work out according to plan very often and you know there's a chance you're going to have to have a conversation that you don't want to have. The flip side of that is not getting close to the guys, and not enjoying them. I don't want to do that. I want to get to know these guys and appreciate what they do.

"The hope is that after you have those tough conversations, and they have time to clear their head, they do want to stay in the organization."

The Indians could bring Johnson back to the big leagues, but first they'd have to add him to the 40-man roster.

-In case you missed it, veteran catcher Matt Treanor retired Wednesday. Treanor, who missed the 2013 season following microfracture surgery on his knee, opened the season on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring.

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